In a significant gesture of international solidarity and humanitarian advocacy, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, paid a surprise visit to Angola on Tuesday, where he met with President João Lourenço to promote ongoing landmine clearance efforts led by The HALO Trust.
The unannounced visit underscored Prince Harry’s continued commitment to a cause made famous by his late mother, Princess Diana, whose iconic 1997 trip to Angola drew global attention to the devastating impact of landmines.
Renewed Support for HALO Trust
During the meeting at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, President Lourenço reaffirmed Angola’s commitment to The HALO Trust, the British-based non-profit that has been clearing mines in the country since 1994.
According to James Cowan, CEO of The HALO Trust, President Lourenço expressed a strong desire to renew Angola’s partnership with the organization for another three years.
“We are deeply encouraged by the President’s pledge,” said Cowan. “Angola’s continued support is vital for achieving our goal of making mine-impacted communities safe and prosperous.”
A Legacy of Advocacy
The HALO Trust first gained international prominence when Princess Diana visited minefields in Huambo, Angola, in 1997. Wearing protective gear and walking through active minefields, her visit was a turning point in the global campaign against landmines. It helped catalyze the signing of the Ottawa Treaty later that year, banning the use of anti-personnel mines in over 160 countries.
Prince Harry has since inherited the advocacy baton. In 2019, he retraced his mother’s steps, even recreating some of her most iconic photos, and met with Sandra Tigica, a landmine survivor who had also met Princess Diana two decades earlier.
Ongoing Challenge
Despite significant progress, Angola still grapples with the remnants of nearly three decades of civil war, which ended in 2002. The country remains one of the most mine-contaminated in the world. The HALO Trust estimates that over 88,000 Angolans have been injured or killed by landmines since the conflict began.
Clearing these explosive remnants not only saves lives but also restores access to vital land for agriculture, infrastructure, and safe settlement.
Looking Ahead
While the full itinerary of Prince Harry’s 2025 visit remains undisclosed, his presence has reignited international focus on the need for sustained mine clearance funding and cooperation.
“Landmines may be buried beneath our feet, but their consequences reach deep into the hearts of communities,” Prince Harry reportedly told officials during the visit. “We must finish the job my mother started, a world free of landmines.”
As Angola works toward its goal of becoming mine-free, this renewed partnership between government and global civil society sends a powerful message: the path to healing and progress is best walked together, safely and united.
Read Also: Burkina Faso’s Imams Unite Against Online Hate Speech Amid Rise in Extremist Violence
